R E L A T E D

Holika Dahan, the popular ritual related to Holi festival, is performed on Hutashani Purnima. The legend of this ritual dates back to the Kruta Yuga. This story is associated with demon Hiranyakashipu, Holika, Prahlada and Lord Vishnu.

When Hiranyakashipu wanted to kill his son, Prahlad, who was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, he ordered demon Holika to finish the formality of killing Prahlada. Holika is the sister of Hiranyakashipu.

As Holika had a boon of not getting harmed by Agni, she took Prahlada in her lap and sat in a burning pyre to get him killed. But, with the blessings of Lord Vishnu Prahlada came out of the fire without any injury while Holika burnt in the fire and killed.

To commemorate this Puranic incident, people perform Holika Dahan on Hutashani Purnima, a day prior to Holi festival.